From the 25th to the 28th of February 2025, the FAO headquarters in Rome hosted the resumed 16th Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Delegates from all around the world gathered to address pressing issues left unresolved from the previous session in Cali, Colombia (Oct 21, 2024 – Nov 1, 2024). The outcomes were a blend of optimism, financial pledges and a few cliffhangers.

Back Story

Biodiversity plays an important role in ecosystem services, and they are crucial to our survival and well-being. It serves as a foundation for building a resilient and sustainable future. However, since the 1970s we have a seen a decline in biodiversity, and dependence on these resources are increasing. Trillions of USD are generated annually through economic activity reliant on nature, yet a significant financial gap of 1 trillion for biodiversity remains, particularly impacting developing countries. Bridging this financial shortfall is imperative to biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

At COP15 in 2022, the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted to counter biodiversity loss. The framework set out four goals for 2025 and 23 targets for 2030. We would like to underline 2 targets which are relevant to EUROPARC and its members, working to manage Protected Areas.

• Target 2 highlights the restoration of 30% of ecosystems by 2030.
• Target 3 calls attention to the conservation of 30% of terrestrial, inland water and of coastal and marine areas by 2030.

Additionally, target 19 which aims to mobilise 200 billion USD per year for biodiversity, including 30bn through international finance.

EUROPARC underlines that we do not just need more Protected Areas, but that our protected spaces need to be effectively managed to achieve their conservation objectives. We are working on advancing this work through the LIFE PAME Europe project, which you can learn more about here.

Cali Fund

To further the progress on bridging the financial shortfall, the Cali Fund was established during COP16. Named after the city where discussion began, the funds will be sources from private sector such as agribusiness and pharmaceuticals that uses genetic materials for commercial purposes. A key achievement of COP16 is the decision to allocate these funds to indigenous peoples and local communities, ensuring their crucial role in biodiversity conservation is recognised and supported.

A Strategy for Resources Mobilisation was adopted to address financial biodiversity gap through mobilising 200bn USD annually, with an additional 20bn USD in international flows by 2025.

Furthermore, a framework was adopted for planning, monitoring, reporting and review (PMRR). The framework enhances accountability in achieving the GBF’s 23 target and four goals. It also includes guidelines for how countries should develop their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.

Indigenous Voices

A significant outcome of COP16 was the establishment established of a new permanent subsidiary body to ensure the meaningful contributions of Indigenous peoples and local communities in implementing the Convention’s objectives. This development embeds the knowledge and perspectives of indigenous people across global biodiversity efforts.

COP16 was another step towards a world that balances human, economic and biodiversity needs. EUROPARC advocates for Protected Areas to be at the forefront of these discussions.

What if the secret to a more sustainable future was hidden in wild edible plants and mobile classrooms? We present to you two inspiring initiatives that bring people back to nature or nature to them, fostering strong communities and promoting environmental education.

Edible Greens and Immersive Natural Classrooms

Across Europe, innovative projects are redefining the way we learn about the environment, blending tradition, education, and hands-on experience to connect people with the natural world. Latvia and Italy have launched two exciting initiatives promoting nature education and sustainable food practises.

©Sabrina Di Francesco

Cases Study: Open-Air Canteen

In the Lazio region of Italy, the Open-Air Canteen is bringing people together to rediscover the rich tradition of foraging for edible wild plants. This initiative is about nutrition and reconnecting with the land, understanding local biodiversity, and preserving generations of knowledge about what nature has to offer. Participants don’t just learn about wild plants; they experience them firsthand, harvesting, cooking, and enjoying meals at a local organic farm, that tell the story of their region’s ecological and cultural heritage.

In a world where processed foods dominate our plates, the Open-Air Canteen reminds us of the nutritious value of slow, sustainable, and locally sourced eating. By tapping into the wisdom of tradition foraging, this project is helping people build a deeper connection with the environment, while promoting biodiversity conservation and food security.

©A.Soms

Case Study 2: Mobile Nature Classroom

In Latvia, a new project was launched, the country’s first Mobile Nature Classroom at Kemeri National Park. This innovative brings nature directly to students, families, and communities who might not otherwise have access to Latvia’s breathtaking landscapes. Equipped with interactive materials, engaging activities, and expert educators, the mobile classroom transforms spaces into a living learning experience.

But it’s not just about facts and figures, it’s about hands-on exploration, discovery and accessibility. Whether it’s identifying local wildlife, understanding ecosystem dynamics, or learning about conservation efforts, the Mobile Classroom makes education immersive, fun and accessible to all.

The projects are proof that education doesn’t have to be confined to four walls. With these approaches, we create deeper connections with the environment and inspire action to protect it. Whether through storytelling or foraging, these initiatives show the best way to learn about nature to experience it firsthand!

Do you have interesting initiatives that you would like to share with us? Or would you like to submit a case study? Please visit our Knowledge Hub!

Within the EU Horizon project NaturaConnect, we are looking for an external service to produce an independent evaluation of the stakeholder engagement of the project.

NaturaConnect (Project: 101060429 (HORIZON-CL6-2021-BIODIV-01)) is a four-year project running from July 2022-August 2026. Together with key stakeholders, NaturaConnect will co-develop knowledge, tools and capacity building programmes to support Member States in implementing an ecologically representative, resilient and well-connected trans-European nature network (TEN-N) that builds on the existing network of protected areas. The project includes an integrated stakeholder engagement process, which is underpinned by theory and practice addressed in the BiodivERsA Stakeholder Engagement Handbook (Durham et al. 2004) and which follows approaches of appreciative inquiry.

Purpose of the tender

The main output of this consultancy is an assessment of the stakeholder engagement events of the project, which will be conducted by different project partners.

The contractor shall provide a mid-term review of the stakeholder engagement events and a final report. Specifically, the contract requirements are to:

1. Recommend and provide advice on feedback methods to be used by project partners for their specific types of engagement events (face to face meetings, workshops, online workshops etc.) in various contexts and countries. The contractor shall ensure a systematic collection of information along the different project partners. The collected information will be shared with the contractor for further analysis and the overall evaluation.

2. Collect and analyse feedback from participants of events and stakeholders in the form of qualitative interviews, surveys or any other suitable innovative forms for data and information collection. The contractor will be responsible to design and conduct interviews with key stakeholders and to analyse the results.

Based on this, an overall evaluation (mid-term review and final review) shall be developed. The mid-term review is an important deliverable in January 2024 and shall include recommendations for the following stakeholder engagement taking place until the end of the project (2026).

As part of the application, the contractor is asked to provide a preliminary evaluation plan, which shall be further developed during the first month of the contract. Please consider the tender specifications carefully.

The deadline for applications is the 6th of December 2022, 23.59 CET.

Successful candidates will be invited for an interview between the 12-16th of December.  The contract will be awarded not later than 19th of December with contract starting date on the 5th of January 2023.

Please find the tender specifications by clicking below

NC_call for consultancy_project evaluation

At the 6th Outdoor Sports Euro’Meet 2022, EUROPARC organised the workshop “Protected Areas and Outdoor Sports. Best Friends Forever?”. The event took place in #Silkeborg, the Outdoor Capital of Denmark, between the 14-16 of September 2022.

Background of the event

Outdoor Sports are an excellent way to connect people to nature. However, conflicts arise when sports are practised unsustainably, or when different users have conflicting interests. EUROPARC has signed a memorandum of understanding with ENOS, the European Network of Outdoor Sports, to tackle these challenges together. As such, we were invited to take part in the 6th Euro-Meet earlier this year.

The event followed the theme “Green Sports for a Greener and Healthier Europe“. EUROPARC’s Teresa Pastor presented at a poster session and also led a workshop at the event.

The workshop – Sharing expectations and triggering ideas

To set the scene, Teresa presented the results of a survey, which was conducted in the framework of the SEE project. The topic was the perceptions that Protected Areas managers have about Outdoor Sports practitioners.

The feedback revealed that 45% of the respondents were positive about Outdoor Sports for the benefits they bring. Nonetheless, 17% had a less-positive perception, due to the negative socio-environmental impacts Outdoor Sports can exert, while 48% positioned themselves as neutral.

With outdoor sports practitioners’ numbers steadily increasing, a risk of a shift from neutral to a negative perception is arising.

The workshop was a perfect venue to discuss different ideas in favour of a constructive dialogue to better accommodate Outdoor Sports in Protected Areas.

The first question we asked ourselves was: who should we hold responsible for the dialogue between Protected Areas and Outdoor Sports?

The general opinion was that the responsibility should be equally shared between Protected Area managers and Outdoor Sports organisations. Still, the process should be triggered by the Protected Area manager, as they are responsible for managing the natural space. Third parties that play a role are individual practitioners, however, they are more difficult to approach. Still, it is important to underline that each Outdoor Sports practitioner holds the responsibility for their own actions.

The workshop also gave the opportunity for those engaged in Outdoor Sports, to express what they expect from Protected Areas:

1. To receive more and better information about:
   The impacts Outdoor Sports create on the Protected Area;
   Management decisions;
   Where they are allowed to go, i.e. better MapTrails;
2. To offer better designed, more suitable facilities. Especially for Outdoor Sports practitioners to be able to co-participate in their design to ensure they are fit for the purpose. Recreational infrastructure and facilities are key management tools;
3. A better understanding of each Outdoor Sports specific features;
4. To be open for dialogue, including different user groups;
5. To be open to partnerships.

In turn, Protected Areas expressed what they expect from Outdoor Sports:

1. Respect for rules;
2. Respect for the environment and the site;
3. Willingness to participate in open dialogue;
4. More pro-activeness in proposing actions and participating in co-design.

Our steps for dialogue

Finally, three basic steps to starting dialogue were agreed:

1. Awake the interest;
2. Raise awareness about the main impacts and issues associated with Outdoor Sports;
3. Improve knowledge about impacts through consultation with different Outdoor Sports groups in order to make knowledge-based decisions.

The group concluded that there is a genuine interest from both sectors to mutually understand each other and to start dialogue and cooperation in order to stay best friends forever!

Want to know more?

If you are interested in further outcomes of the events, as well as other presentations, you can find them all on the ENOS’ website here.